THE CONGRESSIONAL FUND

For almost 80 years, Congressional School has cared for and inspired our students, collaborated with parents, nurtured relationships with our alumni and celebrated our many successes as a community. We would not be at this point without strong leadership, shared values and a willingness to get involved and give back. We invite you to help us support the students, faculty and programs by contributing annually to The Congressional Fund.

Your commitment and philanthropy are at the heart of sustaining our excellence and building a stronger future. All gifts to The Congressional Fund, regardless of size, make a difference in the lives of 330 students every day and are greatly appreciated. Gifts and pledges for the 2018 - 2019 academic year may be received through August 31, 2019.

The Guagenti Family offers a Give Day Challenge: $25,000 for 153 Gifts

We are excited to announce that the Guagenti Family (Bella '20, Gabby '22, Peyton '26) has offered a challenge to the Congressional community to inspire everyone to #RunWithTheColts on Congressional Give Day.

How does the challenge work?

If we meet the challenge of 153 gifts/pledges on Congressional Give Day (25% increase in donations from last year) the Guagenti family will donate $25,000 to Congressional School.

Why the Guagentis love Congressional School

"We love the community and instantly felt at home here. There have been so many positive changes and as a family that still has many years here, we are excited to see what else is in store for our children."

FRIEND GIVING LEVELS

GIFT DESIGNATIONS

When you give to The Congressional Fund, you are able to choose from the options below to designate your gift to the area of your choice:

Gift Designation Categories

Area of Greatest Need

Little School (Infants - Jr. Kindergarten)

Big School (Kindergarten - Grade 8)

STEM

Athletics

Fine and Performing Arts

Faculty Support and Development

Need-Based Financial Aid

Hear why five of our parents love and support Congressional School.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why is The Congressional Fund so important when I'm already paying tuition for my child to attend Congressional School?

Tuition does not cover the full cost of operating Congressional School. The Congressional Fund currently comprises 1.5% of the current operating budget. Support of The Congressional Fund is important because it helps augment the budget while providing additional resources for our faculty and students to ensure an excellent educational experience for every child.

Is my gift to The Congressional Fund tax deductible?

Yes, your donation is 100% tax deductible since Congressional School is as a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization.

When should I give my gift?

The Congressional Fund year runs from September 1, 2017 through August 31, 2018. You may give your gift at any point, but we encourage you to pledge or give by Wednesday, November 15, Congressional Give Day.

What are the goals for The Congressional Fund this year?

We are seeking to exceed last year’s giving total of $275,000 in gifts during the 2018-19 academic year.

How can I make my contribution to The Congressional Fund?

Gifts can be made online or through cash, checks, credit cards, and securities. Federal Employees may donate through the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC #40837). You may also pledge by emailing Chris Pryor, Assistant Head for Advancement, fill out this online form and pay your pledge by August 31, 2018.

What is a Leadership Gift and are there different Leadership Circles?

A Leadership Gift is any gift of $1,200 or more to The Congressional Fund. We have several different Leadership Gift Levels:

Vero Nihil Verius Society: $25,000

1939 Society: $20,000-$24,999

Great Thinkers and Leaders Society: $12,000-$19,999

Explorers Society: $8,500-$11,999

Young Learners Society: $6,000-$8,499

Sleepy Hollow Society: $3,000-$5,999

Colts Society: $1,200-$2,999

Do I have to give my entire gift at once or can I contribute over a period of time?

Many donors elect to pay in installments or opt for a recurring payment. Please let us know your giving preference and we are happy to support you.

I work for a company that matches my donations. Will Congressional accept matching gifts?

Yes, we have a number of companies that support their employees through matching gifts. Please let us know what you need from us in order to process the match through your organization. It also doubles your gift which is great!

Can I designate my gift towards a certain area?

Yes, you can designate your gift. You can choose from the options below when filling out our online donation or pledge forms.

Area of Greatest Need

Little School (Infants - Jr. Kindergarten)

Big School (Kindergarten - Grade 8)

STEM

Athletics

Fine and Performing Arts

Faculty Support and Development

Need-Based Financial Aid

Can family members contribute? If so, do they receive any special recognition for doing so?

Yes, anyone can contribute to The Congressional Fund. All donors receive a letter of thanks and gift receipt letter from the Assitant Head for Assistant. Donors are also listed in our Annual Report.

Rather than donating money, is it an option for me to donate my professional time to Congressional School?

We strongly encourage individuals to volunteer and share their expertise. We are a community and our collective knowledge will make Congressional a stronger institution and learning environment. There are a number of opportunities to volunteer throughout the year; however, we still ask that families support The Congressional Fund for the aforementioned reasons.

Are the total amounts donated shared with anyone outside of the Advancement Office?

Individual donor information is limited to a very small group of individuals at Congressional School. All donations are held in the strictest confidence, too. We do provide aggregate donor information in the Annual Report, on the Advancement section of our website, as well as, to the Virginia Association of Independent Schools (VAIS) and Association of Independent School of Greater Washington (AISGW).

Who makes the decision about how donations are spent?

Decisions about how Congressional School allocates its resources are determined by our Head of School in conjunction with members of the Leadership Team and the Board of Trustees. If a gift is designated to a certain area, the gift will be used as requested. If a gift is not designated, it will go toward our area of greatest need.

Congressional School, Inc. is listed as a 501 (c) (3) corporation by the Internal Revenue Service; therefore your contribution is tax deductible to the full extent allowable by law.